II »-".    -tl- 


O  E  ISr  T  E  n^  IsTI  J^X 


ADDRESSES. 


1875- 


Printed  at  Tipton  Record  Office,  Crvhujton,  Tenn,,  1885, 


CENTENNIAL  ADDRESSES 


on    THE 


(3^^LIFE  AMD  CHdBdCTER-'^D 


OF- 


lim  l^^i  PA&i, 


_^^^^^  _  ^^  ^^     ^   _^^  ^,  ^  ^^Aa»^^ 


till  l|wt  Sl^ti|i$  il  t|a 


MINISTERS   OF  THE  GOSPEL 


WHO  HAVE  DESCENDED  FKOxM 


JAMES  AND  PRUDENCE  HALL. 


.,  w  %i.  *s  ^  S.  H  V  *v  X -^ -^-^v -V -V  ^ '^  "N  ^  *V>.  ^ -"V 


COVINGTON,  TENN: 
Tipton  Record  Power  Presses. 

1885. 


^OK:l^O■^A^IJSIIDC3-E13^^E!l^^T. 


To  tlie  Rev.  E.  F.  Rockwell,  D.  D.,  is  due  the  sincere  thanks  of  every 
descendant  of  Juraes  Hall  and  Prudence  Roddy,  hi^:  wife,  for  his  manifest 
interest  in  the  history  of  their  family;  for  his  disinterested  labor  in  collecting 
and  placing  in  suitable  forna  for  preservation  "Sketches"  ©f  those  among  their 
posterity,  who  have  entered  the  Gospel  Ministry.  In  token  of  our  apprecia- 
tion of  his  efforts,  we,  the  descendants  of  James  i.d  Prudence  Hall,  now 
residing  in  Tipton  County,  Tennessee,  do  publish  and  de<licate  to  him  this 
little  volume. 


HH" 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  the  year  1751,  James  Hall,  with  his  wife  and  a  family  of  nine  children, 
settled  on  Fifth  Creek  in  what  is  now  Iredell  County,  North  Carolina.  The 
place  of  settlement  was  near  where  Bethany  Church  was  afterwards  built. 
From  the  cenificate  of  church  membership  brought  by  the  father  and  mother, 
we  learn  that  they  came  from  the  Presbyterian  congregation  ot  Conewago, 
York  County,  Pennsylvania.  From  this  certificate  we  further  learn,  that  the 
parents  were  among  the  number  who  founded  the  Conewago  Church,  as  that 
instrument  states  **that  they  had  lived  in  that  congregation  ever  since  it  was 
erected  in  1738."  Of  the  early  history  of  Mr.  Hall  but  little  is  known. 
While  yet  a  young  man,  about  the  year  1720,  he  left  bis  native  Ireland, 
accompanied  by  his  widowed  mother,  tor  A  merica.  During  the  voyage  tha 
mother  died  and  the  youth  landed  on  our  shores  an  orphan  boy,  a  stranger  in 
a  strange  land.  So  far  as  it  is  known,  his  first  employment  in  America  was 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  The  next  account  we  have  of  him  he  had  left 
the  city  and  removed  into  the  country.  It  was  ther«  that  he  met  and  married 
Prudence  Roddy.  Mr.  Hall  was  ati  Irish  Presbyterian,  and  possessed  in  a 
marked  degree  those  strong  points  of  character  that  distinguish  this  class  of  the 
Irish  population.  Among  the  many  descendants  of  his  family  there  remain 
to  this  day,  two  distiuguisliing  characteristics,  great  force  of  character  and  an 
adherence  to  the  Presbyterian  form  of  faith.  Having  assisted  in  planting  the 
Conewago  Church  in  Pennsylvania,  he  was  also  one  of  the  founders  of  Beth- 
any church  in  his  adopted  State  in  1775.  Under  the  inftuence  and  control 
of  his  immediate  descendants,  this  church  and  its  schools  became  renowned, 
and  the  community  famous  for  its  moral  and  intellectual  culture.  The  com- 
munities in  the  West,  to  the  formation  of  wkich  Bethany  has  contributed, 
have  felt  the  influence  of  her  culture,  a'ld  those  immigrating  to  such  commu- 
nities have  left  an  impress  upon  the  institutions  and  the  society  of  their  new 
homes.  So  interwoven  with  the  history  of  this  (Bethany)  church  is  that  of 
Mr.  Hall's  family,  and  so  marked  have  been  the  impress  ©f  that  family  upon 
all  that  relates  to  either  church  or  community,  that  at  the  ''Bethany  Ceaten- 
uial,"  held  on  the  25lh  day  of  August,  1875,  the  leading  feature   ot   that  oc- 


casion  was  the  reading  of  the  papers  that  compose  these  pages.  The  ''Beth- 
any Centennial"  was  an  occasion  of  profound  interest,  not  only  to  those  who 
new  live  within  its  bounds,  but  to  hundreds  scattered  throughout 
many  states  of  the  Union,  who  look  back  to  tkat  community, 
with  an  interest  excited  b^--  the  fact  that  it  was  the  birth- 
place of  their  ancestry.  Those  who  feel  an  interest  in  the  matters 
that  relate  to  th«  Hall  family  Cdngratnlate  themselves  that  the  Centennial 
vras  productive  of  papers  so  full  of  interest  to  them  as  the  address  of  the  Rev. 
F.  PI.  Johnston,  D.D.,  upon  the  life,  character  and  labors  of  Dr.  Hall,  and 
the  "Sketches"  of  the  ministerial  part  of  the  famil}',  prepared  by  the  disinter- 
ested labors  of  Prof.  Kockwell.  These  papers  will  have  the  effect  of  reviving 
in  tiie  descendants  of  James  and  Prudence  Hall  a  deeper  interest  in  the  his 
tory  of  a  family  that  for  more  than  a  centur)  has  furnished  to  the  country, 
the  church  and  society  some  of  the  hit^hest  types  of  the  patriot,  Christian, 
cit'zen. 


BETHANY   CENTENNIAL, 

Address  of  Rev.  F.H.  Johnston,I).B,,  Winston,  K,C. 

Bethany  and  James  Hall  are  names  that  cannot  be  separated  from  each 
other  in  history,  as  they  are  not  in  the  memory  of  some  now  living,  nor  in  the 
unwritten  traditions  which  have  come  down  to  us  from  a  hundred  years  ago. 
A  commemoration  of  the  hundredth  anniversary  of  this  church  would  be  alto- 
gether incomplete,  if  not  absolutely  void  of  all  attractiveness,  were  it  not  at 
the  same  time  the  ci^mmemoration  of  the  man  whose  life  was,  for  nearly  half 
a  century,  identified  with  its  history  as  the  most  active  and  infiueiitial  element 
in  its  growth  and  prosperity.  It  would  be  something  like  telling  the  story  ©f 
Israel's  exodus  and  ills  wanderings  in  the  wilderness  without  mention  of  Moses; 
or  of  his  settlement  in  Canaan  without  refereicce  to  Joshua. 

The  charches  of  Iredell  county  are  chif'fly  interested  in  the  day 
we  celebrate,  but  not  exclusively;  other  regions  both  within  and  without 
North  Carolina  might  also  well  unite  with  them  in  these  CeuLenuial  demon- 
strations. The  ntiine  of  James  Hall  is  associated  wiih  extensive  labors 
throughout  the  Southern  Country  as  a  missionary,  and  with  a  manly  and  ef- 
fectual defense  of  the  principles  of  constitutional  liberty  both  by  his  eioquenc?' 
and  his  sword  in  "times  that  tried  men's  souls."  To  him,  therefore,  whose 
life  as  a  patriot  and  christian  teacher,  bore  no  unimportant  relation  to  the 
early  development  of  the  principles  of  religious  and  civil  liberty  in  this  com^ 
mon wealth,  and  who  gave  his  best  years  to  their  maintenance;  who  impressed 
the  men  of  hjs  generation  as  a  man  of  uncommon  power,  both  of  heart  and 
brain;  who  left  behind  him  a  name  embalmed  in  the  grateful  memories  ot  his 
people;  a  chief  place  is  most  worthily  given  in  the  commemoration  exercises 
of  this  day. 

It  would  be  impossible  within  the  limits  to  be  observed  on  the  present  occa- 
sion to  give  anything  more  than  the  condensed  review  \ii  a  subject  which  de- 
serves a  volume  written  by  a  competent  and  enthusiastic  biographer.  We 
must  be  content  with  such  a  view  of  the  man  as  the  railway  traveller  gets  of 
the  country  through  which  he  is  passing — brief,  hasty  and  imperfect. 

That  the  impression^  nevertheless,  to  be  lelt  on  the  mind  to-day,  of  the  life 
and  work  of  Dr.  Hall,  may  not  be  altogether  a  vague  one.^  I  shall  endeavor 
to  group  the  principal  facts  of  his  life  around  a  few  salient  points — those 
points  in  which  the  man  was  brought  into  most  impressive  contact  with  his 
contemporaries,  and  is  projected  into  the  view  of  posterity;  namely,  as   the 


patriot  soldier,    the  lUyoal  and  wtell'geni   educator,   the   earnest  and  succej<s.fvl 
preacher  and  pastor. 

TLis  sketch  would  he  wanting,  however,  without  some  brief  account  of  the 
early  life  •i'  Dr.  Hall  and  his  preparation  for  his  work,  for  the  facts  concern- 
ing wtiich  I  must  acknowledge  ruyselt  indel)te(I  principally  t©  the  author  of 
the  "Sketches  of  North  Carolina." 

In  common  with  the  majrr  part  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  section  of  the 
State  lying  between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba  rivei*s,  James  Hall  was  of 
Scotch-Irish  parentafre.  The  third  son  of  James  Hall,  of  Carlisle,  Pa.,  and 
born  22d  August,  1744,  he  removed,  while  yet  a  boy,  with  his  father's  family 
to  this  State  and  into  this  region  at  that  time  embraced  within  the  limits  of 
Rowan  county.  Of  his  chddhood  and  early  youtl)  little  is  known.  Still, 
we  may  readily  imagine  how  those  early  years  must  have  jjlided  by  with  hitn 
under  the  parental  roof,  because  they  canntt  have  differed  much  fr'>m  the 
years  many  another  youth  passes,  whose  lot  has  fallen  in  the  household  of  a 
plain  and  thrifty  but  intelligent  Christian  farmer.  Uneventful  such  a  youth- 
hood  may  have  been,  and  giving^  no  distinct  foreshadowing  of  the  greatness  of 
the  man;  yet  it  was  with  him  a  seed-tinae  which  could  not  have  been  neglected. 
Trained  to  habits  of  industry  in  the  ireest  of  occupations  men  can  pursue,  the 
culture  of  the  soil;  tra'ned  above  all  in  the  principles  ot  God's  word  and  the 
habits  of  religion  by  careful  hands  and  prayerful  hearts,  to  what  true  eleva- 
tions of  greatness,  with  the  divine  guidance  and  favor,  may  not  the  3^outh 
attain?  Who  can  tell  ?  The  foundation  is  being  laid  wisely  by  patient  and 
loving  hands  far  away  frern  the  gaze  of  men  in  the  obscurity  and  slielter  of  a 
wilderness  of  woods;Jbye  and  bye  we  shall  see  a  man  among  men,  by  the 
grace  of  God — a  man  fitted  for  a  work  none  but  a  man  can  do,  and  doing  it  to 
tne  glory  of  God,  and  the  praise  of  men.  These  woods  resounded  once  tn 
the  fall  of  the  axe  lifted  up  against  the  trees  by  this  sturdy  youth,  but  they 
shall  resound  again  to  higher  and  more  powerful  notes  when  the  mature  man 
lifts  his  voice,  not  in  vain,  to  inspire  his  countrynaen  with  the  ardors  of  a 
noble  patriotism;  or  awaken  them  to  life  and  immortality  with  the  sound  of  a 
trum  )et  and  earnest  gospel  pleading. 

W  ^nla'^out  twenty  years  old  Mr.  Hall  united  with  the  church;  the  exact  date 
of  his  profession  of  faith  is  uncertain,  though  it  is  probable  that  it  occurred  during 
the  visitation  of  ministers  sent  into  Cart^lina  from  time  to  time  by  the  Synod 
et  New  York  and  Philadelphia  "to  organize  the  congregations  and  administer 
the  ordinances,"  for  these  visits  were  very  generally  followed  by  many  hopeful 
conversions  and  additions  to  the  church. 

Soon  after  his  first  comforts  in  the  experience  of  religion,  as  he  himself  tells 
us,  Mr.  Mall  "felt  a  strong  desire  to  preach  the  gospel,"  but  this  desire  ap- 
pears to  have  remained  his  own  carefully-guarded  secret  for  a  number  ot  years; 
under  the  impression  that  it  was  vain  to  cherish  it,  as  no  door  seemed  to  opem 
to  him  for  its  fulfilment. 

After  waiting,  however,  feur  or  five  years  the  difficulties,  whether  supposed 
or  real,  were  removed,  and  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  classics.  This 
was  in  his  twenty -sixth  year,  an  age  when  p  mind  of  more  than  ordinary  natu- 
ral powers,  and  now  mature,  would  under  unremitting  application  such  as 
Mr.  Hall  conscientiously  gave  to  his  studio?  make  very  rapid  progress.  He 
was  a  special  adept  in  the  exact  sciences.     M^ith^piatica  was  his  favorite  study 


and  he  turned  its  principles  often  to  practical  use.  This  taste  was  developed 
in  him  while  yet  a  youth,  having  at  the  age  of  seventeen  chanced  upon  a  copy 
( f  Euclid  and  mastered  its  content,  unaided  by  any  instructor.  "By  the  help 
plates"  we  are  told  "he  constructed  a  quadrant,  and  amused  himself  and  triends 
by  measuring  the  height  ol  trees  and  the  distance  of  objects."  \ears  a.ter- 
wards  in  the  midst  of  professional  labors  his  taste  for  this  science  cleaved  to 
him  and  tradition  tells  us  that  he  constructed  a  piece  of  mecha:  ism  which  at- 
tached  to  his  traveling  carriage  measured  off  the  miles  and  noted  their  num- 
ber, a  useful  contrivance  in  those  days  when  mile  posts  were  still  growing  m 
the  woods,  and  distances  through  the  mazes  of  a  Carolina  forest  unascertained.^ 

Mr.  Hall  pursued  his  collegiate  studies  at  the  College  of  New  Jersey  m 
Princeton,  N.  J.,  where  he  was  graduated  in  the  Bachel  .r's  degree  in  ^  1774. 
Dr.  John  Witberspoon  was  president  of  the  college  at  the  time^  and  it  was 
at  the  feet  of  this  distinguished  patriot  and  divine  that  James  Hall  sat  as  a 
pupil  not  only  in  the  Sciences,  but  also  in  Theology.  It  is  an  evidence  of  the 
high  estimate  at  wkoh  Mr.  Hall  was  held  by  that  great  man  as  well  as  o  his 
proficiency  as  a  scholar  that -the  position  of  tutor  in  Mathematics  was^tendered 
him  in  the  College  after  his  graduation.  This  post  ot  honor  and  usefulness  he 
declined  out  of  fidehty  to  a  solemn  covenant  he  had  made  with  bod  yeara 
bef  »re  that  if  the  way  should  ever  be  opened  for  his  entering  the  sacred  ottice 
of  the  ministry,  he  would  devote  his  whole  life  to  its  duties,  a  fidelity  m  which 
he  persevered  throughout  the  entire  course  of  a  long  lite.  -vr     u 

When  his  course  was  finished  at  Princeton,  Mr.  Hall  returned  to  JSorth 
Carolina,  and  was  soon  afterwards  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Orange,  nnd 
in  April,  1778,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  united  congregations  ot  J^ourth 
Creek,  Concord  and  Bethany. 

In  stature  Mr.  Hall  was  above  the  medium  height  (over  six  feet)  withtroad 
shoulders,  full  chest,  strong,  muscular  limbs,  and  he  trod  the  earth  with  hrm 
step— a  man  whose  appearance  at  once  commanded  respect  and  invited  conn- 
deuce.  "I^"  says  one,  "a  casual  observer  who  had  only  the  most  crude^  no- 
tions of  phrenology,  had  at  any  time  noticed  that  large  head,  and  especially 
that  broad,  massive  forehead,  and  then  thought  of  the  volume  ef  brain  it  cen- 
tained,  he  would  have  said  that  the  man  with  such  a  head  had  a  vigorous  in- 
tellect and  great  decision  of  character."  To  these  physical  attribute's  he  united 
the  qualities  of  head  and  heart  that  fitted  him  to  gain  and  to  hold  the  respect, 
confidence  and  affections  of  men  in  no  small  degree.  We  may  sum  them  up 
xis  follows  :  Undoubted  piety  and  practical  religion;  undaunted  courage,  t)Otli 
moral  and  physical;  coolness  in  judgment  and  decision  in  action;  great  ^  readi- 
ness and  skill  in  applying  his  knowledge  ot  things  to  practical  uses;  mflexi- 
bility  and  earnestness  of  purpose;  enthusiastic  devotion  in  a  good  cause;  great 
kindness  and  tenderness  of  feeling;  amiableness  of  disposition,  and  last,  but 
not  least,  engaging  manners.  He  was  a  perfect  gentleman  in  society,  attable, 
courteous,  as  attractive  in  his  bearing  as  in  his  personal  appearance.  Ail 
the«e  combined  to  give  him  a  strong  bold  on  the  popular  will  and  atfectiong. 
Men  looked  up  to  him  with  reverence  and  love  in  the  homes  ot  their  child- 
hood, and  with  ccmfidence,  alike  in  the  camp  of  the  soldier  and  in   the    house 

of  God.  1/. 

Dr.  Hall  never  married,  and  in  this  thing  he  appears  as  a  martyr  to  a  seit- 

impoged  obligation.     Having  devoted  his  whole  life  to  God  in  the  ministry  of 


Jesus  Christ,  he  conceived,  whether  rightly  or  wrongly,  the  assumption  of  the 
marriage  relation  in  his  own  case  as  interfering  with  the  discharge  of  that  obli- 
gation; yet  it  was  a  decision  which  was,  as  has  been  truly  said,  "in  opposition 
to  that  tenderaess  of  heart  and  affectionate  disposition  he  was  known  to  possess 
from  his  earliest  boyhood  to  his  latest  breath."  In  the  providence  of  God  he 
was  called  in  times  of  peculiar  emergency  t)  do  larijely  the  work  of  an  evange- 
list in  frontier  regions,  the  spiritual  desolation  whereof  could  not  be  reached  . 
except  through  the  most  self-denynig  love  and  labor;  a  work,  therefore,  which 
like  that  of  the  Apostle  Paul,  was  the  more  likely  to  be  best  dona  by  men  who 
were  free  from  domestic  ties  and  cares. 

We  have  come  now  to  the  period  when  Dr.  Hall,  having  finished  his  scho- 
lastic course,  had  entered  in  earnest  upon  his  life  work.  That  work  was  one, 
yet  manifold.  Although  he  had  consecrated  himself  wholly  to  the  work  of 
the  Ministry,  and  never  ceased  from  it  until  disabled  by  the  iafirmities 
of  age;  yet  he  was  called  by  the  exigencies  of  the  times  to  take  a  leading 
and  influential  part  in  the  political  and  educational  interests  of  his 
country.  Nevertheless,  be  always  subordinated  his  movements  in  these  di- 
rections to  the  one  grand  purpose  of  his  life.  The  preacher  never  disap- 
peared in  the  military  expedition,  or  in  the  superintendence  and  conduct 
of  the  sckool.  There  was  that  versatile  capacity  in  him,  which  combined 
with  great  powers  of  endurance,  enabled  him  to  do  the  work  of  a  soldier 
or  of  an  instructor  in  the  sciences,  without  detracting  from  his  fidelity  or 
usefulness  as  a  minister  of  God;  one  proof  whereof  lies  in  the  fact  that  he 
maintained  unsullied  in  the  eyes  of  m^n  the  dignity  of  his  office,  and  deepened 
their  reverence  and  respect  both  for  it  and  for  himself  amid  the  throes  of  a 
great  revolution  and  the  ravages  of  desolating  war.  Not  to  every  mm  has 
this  grace  been  given — to  be  faithful  to  his  holy  calling  as  a  pieacher  of  right- 
eousness— and  yet,  if  need  be,  to  descend  in  persou  into  the  arena  of  secular 
turmoil  and  conflict;  but  to  James  Hall  this  grace  was  given.  By  nature,  by 
Providence  and  by  grace,  he  was  eminently  fitted  to  be  a  man  for  the  times. 

Let  \ii  look  at  him  Jird  as  the  p.ttr lot  and  soldier.     Dr.  Hall  was  an   intelli- 
gent enthusiast  in  the  cause  of  American  inaependence,  and  in  this  section   of 
the  State  one  of  its  most  eloquent  and  able  defenders.     This  devotion    to    the 
cause  of  civil  liberty  was  not  peculiar  to  Mr.  Hall,  but  he    shared,    acc)rding 
to  his  aieasura,  in  a  feeling  ommon  to  the    great    mass   of   Scotch-Irish    emi- 
graats  and  their  descendants,  and    especially  of  the   Presbyterian   ministry,  a 
hatred  of  tyranny  and  intolerance  iu  church  or  State.     The    great    battle    for 
freedom  of  onscience  wliich  impirted  to  Scotland  its  p3culiar  hist  )ric.il  chir- 
acter    and  rendered  her  name  illustrious  among   the    nations   resulted    in    the 
deposit  of  that  principle  as  of  a  seed  in  the  j^'rimnd,   which   sliould    grow   anti 
spread  until  all  superstition  and  tyranny  be  ..v/ept  from  tlie  face  of  the  earth. 
It  found  root  and  room  for  expansion  in  the  providence  of  God,  in  the   virgin 
soil  of  the  New  World,  and  civil  liberty  in  its  purest  form    is   a    part  ol    its 
blessed  fruits.     The  inheritors  and  guardians  of   this    principle  in    this  land, 
could  n(jt  bow  down  meekly  to  tyranny  and  oppression,  and  among  those  who 
espou.sed  and  advocated  the  cause  of  freedom  with  intelligence  and   elo([uence 
we  find  the  clergymen  of  the  revolution.     It  found  an    earnest  champion    in 
John  Witherspoon,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence — a  man  alike 


distinguished  for  integrity  of  principle,  patriotic  courage  and  zeal,  as  tor  learn- 
ing  and  eloquence,  and  from  hira  James  Hall  doubtless  imbibed  as  a  pupil 
much  of  that  enthusiasm  and  constancy  and  intrepidity  for  which  he  was 
afterwards  distinguished  when  the  war  with  England  came  on.  A  speech  of 
his  delivered  as  we  infer  at  the  time  of  his  leaving  Nassau  Hall  is  devoted  in 
part  to  the  state  of  the  country,  and  is  full  of  the  fire  of  patriotism.  And  we 
may  well  believe  when  afterwards,  during  the  progress  of  tne  conflict  he  em- 
braced oppo)rt unities  of  meeting  and  ar dressing  the  citizens  of  this  region 
according  to  Foote  in  his  ''Sketches,"  "he  infused  his  spirit  and  inflamed  their 
love  of  liberty  and  strengthened  their  purpose  of  maintaining  their  rights  at 
all  hazards." 

The  fact  that  there  was  but  little  Toryism  in  this  part  of  the  State,  and 
much  unanimity  of  feeling  and  purpose  among  the  patriots  was  in  no  small 
measure  due  to  his  personal  eloquence  and  exertion.  In  response  to  his  fervid 
appeals  made  here  to  his  own  congregations,  a  company  of  cavalry  was  organ- 
ized, the  command  of  which  was  devolved  upon  himself  by  a  unanimous 
vote,  and  which  he  carefully  drilled  and  led  into  the  field.  He  was  at  the 
same  time  its  chaplain,  and  he  discharged  the  duties  of  both  positions  with 
acceptance  during  a  campaign  cf  several  months  duration  in  the  upper  and 
western  part  of  South  Carolina,  then  overrun  by  the  British  torces  under 
Com  wail  is. 

He  once  narrowly  escaped  the  peril  of  capture  by  a  party  of  dragoons 
during  this  expedition.  On  another  occasion,  when  two  of  his  men  fdl  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  he  made  their  case  the  subject,  f  prayer  both  private- 
ly and  in  public,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  them  restored  in  safety  to 
the  company,  they  having  efl'ected  their  escape  with  thanks  to  a  drowsy  suard. 
He  had  the  honor  subsequently  to  be  selected  ft)r  a  cf-mmission  as  Briga- 
dier General  by  Gen.  (ireen  to  take  the  place  of  the  gallant  and  lamented 
Davidson,  who  fell  in  the  fight  at  Ctjwau's  Ford.  This  ofl'er  he  declined,  but 
the  incident  shows  that  his  abilities  as  a  soldier  were  recognized  and  apprecia- 
ted in  high  quarters.  That  he  possessed  the  qualities  which  are  demanded 
in  a  successful  and  trusted  leader  there  can  be  no  doubt.  His  fine  com- 
manding person,  his  skill  in  planning  operations,  and  precision  in  carrying 
them  out,  his  coolness  and  courage  in  the  midst  of  danger,  admirably  fitted 
him   to  lead  men  into  the  tented  field. 

But  his  delight  was  not  in  war.  He  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  indeed  to  buckle 
on  the  sword  and  lead  the  men  of  his  flock,  as  once  did  the  j-atriarch 
Abraham,  ao:ainst  the  foe  that  threatened  their  homes,  their  lives  and 
their  rights  with  destruction.  The  emergency  was  peculiar  and  pressing,  and 
James  Hall  was  the  last  man  to  refuse  to  defend  with  his  right  arm  what  he 
so  eloquently  defiended  with  his  lips.  Yet  his  great  mission  was  to  preach  the 
gospel  of  peace,  and  no  honors  or  awards  could  tempt  him  to  lay  aside  the 
duties  of  his  holy  calling. 

But  beside  the  political  welfare  of  his  country  there  was  another  important 
interest  of  society  in  which  Dr.  Hall's  feelings  and  eflbrts  were  warmV  enlisted. 

We  refer  to  the  education   of  youth. 

His  work  in  this  connection  was  of  immense  value  and  lasting  benefit  both 
to  the  church  and  to  the  state. 


In  the  ^^cliool  he  foimdeil  and  supcrinteii<kMl,  as  well  as  that  which  he  per- 
sonally taught  ia  iiis  own  house,  raany  valuable  men  received  their  classical 
ediicaUon,  and  many  ministers  their  theological  traiuinc:. 

There  i.^  a  spot  not  far  from  this  place  upon  which  stood  a  building  famil- 
iarly knowii  ior  sometime  as  the  Latin  school-house,  but  atterwards  by  the 
more  euph()ni(;us  and  sue^gestive  name  ot  Clio's  Nursery.  It  has  been  de- 
scril  e  I  as  1  eautiful  for  situation  in  an  intelligent  Presbyteiian  neighborhood, 
commanding  a  fine  prospect,  the  country  for  miles  around  being  both  pictu- 
resque and  healthy,  and  so  far  elevated  that  the  pirnncle  ef  Pilot  Mountain 
could  he  seen  in  the  north  and  the  top  of  the  Blue  Rid^^^e  in  the  west.  This 
institution  was  founded  by  Dr.  Hall  soyn  after  his  retuin  from  Princeton,  and 
under  his  superintendence  it  flourished  many  years.  Many  youth  who  in 
their  day  filled  posts  of  honor  and  usefulness  in  the  country,  were  here  taught 
with  ability  and  success.  Dr.  F(  ote  mentions  the  names  of  the  "Rev.  Rich- 
ara  King,  of  Tennessee,  esteemed  tie  man  of  the  finest  powers  of  mind  ever 
trained  iis  Western  North  Carolina,  Dr.  Waddell,  of  South  Carolina,  Judges 
Laurie,  Harriss  and  Smith."  Moses  \yaddell  was  famous  afterwards  as  a 
teacherjjno.  C.Calhoun  and  other  prominent  public  men  having  been  his  pupils. 

Besides  the  Clio  Nur.«:ery,  Mr.  Hall  opened  a  school  in  his  own  house  as  an 
"Academy  of  the  Sciences,"  for  the  benetit  of  young  men  who  could  not 
afford  to  go  to  the  northern  colleges.  Many  young  men  also  pursued  their 
theological  studies  under  his  direction — young  men  that  were  led  by  him  to 
seek  the  gospel  ministry,  and  who  became  emiaent  preachers.  We  select  a  few 
names  from  Fooie's  SketcheSy  as  Drs.  John  Robinson  and  John  M.  Wilson,  of 
North  Carolina,  Francis  Cummins,  D.D.,  of  Geor2;ia,  James  Adams,  Thomas 
Price,  Andrew  Fleiiit,  D.D.,  of  S(j»uth  Carolina,  James  Blythe,  D.D.,  of  Ken- 
tucky. .^  ^^ 

Besides  all  this,  we  are  told  that  in  order  to  promote  useful  knowledge  in  his 
congregation  he  formed  a  grammar  class  which  he  met  every  Saturday. 

Books  were  scarce,  and  he  ^^rotea  system  of  grammar,  and  circulated  MS. 
copies  among  the  members  of  the  class.  'J  he  grammar  was  afterwards  pub- 
lished and  extensively  used.  He  also  founded  a  circulating  library  in  his 
charge,  and  encouraged  debating  societies  among  the  young  people.  Thrse 
facts  show  the  wonderful  capacity  for  work;'nd  the  energy  of  the  man.  He 
was  not  less  "apt  to  teach"  than  he  was  brave  and  skiHful  as  a  soldier.  He 
had  great  facility  in  imparting  instruction  and  experienced  profound  pleasure 
in  tiie  employment,  while  his  hi^^ih  aim  was  to  elevate  society  around  him  to  a 
standard  of  i'ltellisence  worthy  of  freemen. 


But  we  must  hasten  to  take  a  view  (;f  Mr.  Ha.ll  iii  his  own  clioscn  sphere  of 
preacJurr  and  imdor. 

In  this  sphere  he  excelled,  if  we  niay  accept  the  concurring  testimony  of 
history  and  tradition. 

,As  a  preacher.  Dr.  Plall  was  distinguished  more  for  the  power  than  the 
t,n'aces  of  oratory.  His  sermons  are  said  to  have  becH  strong  and  earnest, 
the  Ivddus,  ordo  was  their  characteiistic,  and  that  unction  of  the  Spirit  which 
is  the  certain  mark  of  pul])it  power.  His  manner  was  full  of  tendf  r'less  and 
feeling  and  he  was  often  affected  to  tears.     He  was  also  the  wise,  faithful  and 


devoted  pastor,  briiiiiing  tlie  treasures  of  a  rich  experience  to  aid  him  iii  lead- 
ing awakened  souls  to  tlie  Savior,  or  in  administering  consolation  to  the  af- 
flicted i)eopIe  ot  God.  Says  one,  "he  was  always  the  first  to  visit  the  sick 
and  dying  throughout  the  hounds  ot  his  congregation,  and  in  order  to  ascer- 
tain who  were  sick,  he  enjoined  it  upon  the  physicians  praclicinir  within  the 
limits  of  his  parish  to  give  him  regularly  a  list  of  the  sick  and  the  afflicted, 
the  distressed  and  the  disconsolate,  so  that  he  might  immediately  visit  them. 
]^or  did  he  confine  his  visits  to  these  (mly  who  regularly  attended  his  adminis- 
tration of  the  ordinances  ot  the  go.>pel  at  his  church,  but  to  all  of  every  name 
and  denomination.  He  had  a  heart  as  open  as  the  day  to  heavenly  cha-ity,  and 
many  were  the  poor  and  needy  who  received  from  him  pecuniary  aid  from 
his  o*wu  private  funds."  He  was  in  the  habit  of  regularly  catechising  the 
grown  members  ef  his  congregation,  non-communicants  as  well  as  c  tmmuni- 
cants,  and  also  the  children  at  stated  periods. 

After  the  war  was  over,  Dr.  Hall  gave  his  undivided  energies  and  atten- 
tion to  his  charge,  and  it  was  soon  greatly  blessed  by  an  outpouring  of  the 
Spirit.  At  one  communion  season,  we  are  told,  eighty  persons  were  received 
on  profession,  and  at  a  succeeding  communion  sixty  more  were  added.  In  tlie 
year  1790  he  was  released  from  the  pasroral  charge  of  two  of  the  congregations 
hitherto  included  in  it,  viz:  Fourth  Creek  (now  Statesville)  and  Concord. 
He  was  from  this  time  to  the  date  of  his  death  pastor  of  Bethany  alone;  but 
his  labors  were  not  confined  to  this  charge. 

The  scarcity  of  ministers,  and  the  wide-spread  destitutions  of  the  Southern 
country  requfred  that  settled  ministers  should  spend  no  inconsiderable  portion 
of  their  time  in  missionary  labors.  Dr.  Hall  made  extensive  tours  under  the 
direction  of  the  General  Assembly  and  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas.  Some  of 
them  covered  i  period  of  nine  months,  and  extended  as  far  south  and  west  as 
Natchez  on  the  Mississippi  river.  The  eastern  part  of  this  State  (N.  C.) 
was  also  several  times  the  scene  of  these  visitations.  Besides  numerous  short 
excursions  into  adjoining  counties,  we  learn  that  he  made  "fourteen  long  and 
toilsome  missions,  and  that  his  labors,  always  praiseworthily  performed,  con- 
ferred lasting  obligations  on  the  State  and  the  Southern  country." 

Dr.  Hall  ranked  with  the  best  as  a  presbyter.  He  was  regular  in  his  at- 
tendance on  the  meetings  of  his  Presbytery  and  other  courts  of  the  church. 
He  attended  the  meetings  of  the  General  Assembly  in  Philadelphia  as  commis- 
sioner sixteen  times,  and  at  the  meeting  of  that  body  in  the  year  1803,  he 
was  chosen  Moderator,  and  we  may  add  that  he  was  the  first  and  only  presi- 
ding officer  of  that  venerable  body  from  North  Carolina  before  the  division  ot 
1861.  He  was  the  last  Mederator  of  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  in  1812. 
He  was  a  Director  also  of  the  Seminary  at  Princeton  for  some  years.  He 
was  a  good  friend  of  the  Bible  cause,  was  present  at  the  formation  of  the 
American  Bible  Society,. and  became  a  life  member;  was  first  president  of  the 
North  Carolina  State  Bible  Society,  and  attended  all  its  meetings  in  Raleigh 
punctually,  beside  those  of  the  Presbytery  and  Synod.  It  might  be  truly 
said  »>f  him  m  comparison  with  others,  as  Paul  said  of  himself  in  the  spirit  ot 
modest  but  just  self  vindication  m  reference  to  his  judaizing  detractors,  "Are 
they  ministers  of  Christ?  (I  speak  as  a  fool.}  I  am  niore,  in  labors  more 
abundant. 


His  honorary  degree  of  D.D.  was  conferred  on  bim  both  by  his  Alma  ^Ntater, 
the  College  of  New  Jersey,  and  by  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  an 
honor  worthily  conferred,  if  remarkable  abilities  as  a  theologian,  a  preacher 
and  a  teacher  and  many  valuable  services  rendered  in  the  best  interests  of 
humauicy  entitle  one  to  distinction.  It  may  be  further  mentioned  as  a  token 
of  the  public  appreciation  of  the  man  and  his  services  that  the  name  of  Hall 
was  given  to  one  of  the  northeastern  counties  of  Ge-jrgia,  of  which  Gaines- 
ville is  the  seat  of  justice.^ 

Dr.  Hall  preached  his  last  sermon  iu  the  year  1819,  and  died  July  25th, 
1826  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his  age. 

This  interval  of  seven  years  was  marked  by  a  general  decadence  of  his  men- 
tal and  physical  powers,  accompanied  by  great  languor  and  aepressiou  of 
spirits,  which  seems  to  have  been  a  constitutional  infirmity,  from  attacks  of 
which  he  frequently  suffered. 

In  his  religious  history  there  was  a  correspondent  feature  of  spiritual  deser- 
tiou  and  distress  which  was  sometimes  of  long  continuance,  and  of  such  grav- 
ity as  to  silence  his  preaching.  But  this  was  overruled  and  sanctified,  so  that 
as  pastor  and  friend  of  souls  in  spiritual  darkne?;s  and  sorrow  he  specialJy 
excelled  in  administering  consolation  and  in  applying  the  balm  of  Gilead  to 
the  wounded  spirit.  Says  a  writer  in  the  Princeton  Review,  remarking  upon 
the  review  of  Dr.  Hall,  contained  in  ''Sprague's  Annals,"  "One  result  of 
these  desertions  of  soul  was  that  he  sympathized  in  an  extraordinary  degree 
with  persons  laboring  under  similar  depressions,  so  that  he  would  go  miles  out 
or  the  way  to  administer  coraf)rt  to  such  amidst  his  frequent  visits  to  the 
north.  In  these  journeys,  which  were  always  either  on  horseback  or  in  his 
own  gig,  Dr.  Hall  had  so  many  friends  at  every  stage  to  welcome  him  that  >ye 
remember  his  having  said  that  in  coming  to  the  General  Assembly  he  once  paid 
no  more  than  half  a  dollar. 

On  an  Arctic  summer's  dav  the  evening  twilight  is  long,  but  it  never  sinks 
into  total  darkness.  Something  like  this  was  the  evening  of  the  loncj  day  of 
activity  and  usefulness  of  this  eminent  servant  ot  God.  The  shadows  gath- 
ered around  him  for  a  few  declining  years,  but  the  end  was  still  "like  sunset 
at  the  poles  when  the  last  departing  rays  of  light  are  the  first  also  of  the  rising 

[*.Siiice  tljis  attdress  was  delivMMTd,  tlirougli  the  kindness  of  Kev.  Dr.  E.  F. 
Kockw  ell,  soijie  data  respecting  the  library  and  publications  ol'  Dr.  Hall  have  been 
lurnished.  These  are  appended  now.  The  doctor,  it  is  known,  possessed  an  extensive 
library.  He  gave  to  the  University  Library  at  Chapel  Hill.  N.  C,  a  large  number  of 
Latin  works  in  Theology,  >retapliysics  and  Logic,  also  several  volumes  to  tlie  Library  of 
tiie  Tbeulogical  Seminary  at  Princeton  in  1815.  What  has  become  of  the  residue  at  hia 
death  is  not  known. 

His  extant  writings  and  i)ul)licatio  s,  so  far  as  known,  are:  iSermon  at  the  ordination 
of  Hev.  Sijiiuel  C.  Caldwell,  at  Sugar  Creek  Church,  1792. 

Another  in  1795  (Home.  School  and  Cliurch,  vol.  LV.,  page  17G). 

Sermon  on  Prov.  14:  .34,  at  opening  ot  Church  court  in    South   Carolina,  Narrative   of 
State  of  Religion  in  North  Carolina,  1802. 
Report  of  Mississippi.  Tour  through  Mississippi  and  the  south  west. 
Als'^  Sermon  ou  the  Will,  in  library  at  Davidson  College. — F.  H.  J.] 


morn"— of  a  morn  to  the  faithful  soldier  of  Christ,  whose  sun  sets  nevermore. 

There  is  in  the  adjacent  graveyard  a  monument  in  stone,  graven  with  suit- 
able  inscriptions,  erected  by  an  affectionate  people  to  the  memory  of  the 
beloved  pastor  and  devoted  patriot. 

There  is  an  imperishable  monument  reared  in  the  life  of  this  man  which  all 
would  do  well  to  mark,  for 

'•The  lives  of  ^'reat  men  all  remind  us 

We  can  make  our  lives  sublime, 
And  departing,  leave  behind  us 

Footprints  in  the  sands  of  time." 

Take  him  all  in  all,  James  Hall  was  a  great  man  in  the  best  sense,  and 
therefore  a  model  man. 

He  is  a  study  for  those  of  u?  who.  like  him,  are  charged  witli  an^  embassy 
to  men  from  the  great  king  and  Savior;  and  for  the  y©ung  men  of  this  genera- 
tion who  are  looking  forward  to  the  honorable  and  useful  stations  of  life  which 
await  their  coming. 

It  h»$  been  beautifully  said:  "Wear'' like  sons  who  have  inherited  the 
wealth  their  fathers  won,"  Dut  while  we  enjoy  with  humble  and  thankful  spirit 
the  rich  blessings  of  religious  and  civil  liberty  in  this  broad  and  goodly  land, 
stretching  with  varied  magnificence  and  beauty  between  the  oceans,  let  us  not 
forget  the  wealth  we  inherit  in  the  noble  names  and  lives  of  the  fathers  them- 
selves. The  other  might  be  lost,  this  we  can  never  lose.  It  is  an  undying 
inspiration,  rebuking  the  degenerate  spirit  that  shrinks  from  the  responsibility 
and  the  self-denying  labor,  which  are  the  conditions  of  true  guceess  in  life, 
and  moving  the  soul  bravely  to  maintain,  and  diligently  to  improve  its  splen- 
did heritage  of  Religion  and  Freedom. 


SKETCHES  OF  THE  MINISTERS  OF  THE  GOSPEL  WHO  HAYE  DESCENDED 
FROM  JAMES  AND  PRUDENCE  HALL,       • 


BETlIi^lVY     CJE?^TEiV>I^VL.,    lH7o. 


Rev.  Robert  Hall  was  the  son  of  the  first  James  Hall  and  brother  of  Rev. 
James  Hall,  D.D.  He  was  educated  at  the  Clio  School,  near  Snow  Creek, 
was  licensed  by  Orange  Presbytery  in  the  year  178-1,  and  the  next  year  was 
called  to  the  churches  of  upper  Long  Cane  and  Saluda,  in  South  Carolina, 
where  he  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina,  July  27th,  1785, 
at  a  stand  midway  between  the  two  congregations.  Key.  Francis  Cummins, 
who  had  probably  been  his  teacher  at  Clio,  preached  the  sermon  from  Ezekiel 
33,  7. 

Soon  after  his  ordination  his  health  became  much  impaired,  and  at  leuijth 
in  April,  1793,  he  was  dismissed  by  the  Presbytery  from  his  pastoral  charge. 
He  had  then  for  a  long  time  been  unable  to  preach.  He  removed  to  Pendle- 
ton District,  South  Carolina,  and  soon  after  died  while  traveling  in  the  west 
for  his  health. 

Rev.  Rob.  J.  Hall,  of  Ohio,  in  a  letter  dated  Dec.  2n(l,  1873,  says:  ''He 
died  away  from  home,  in  Greenville,  Tenn.,  near  where  he  kad  gone  to  attend 
the  Warm  Spriogs.  He  had  gone  over  to  Greenville  to  attend  church, 
died  that  same  night  and  was  buried  at  that  place.  He  is  reported 
in  the  minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1797  as  without  chtirge,  and  his 
death  is  reported  as  occurrin'j:  August  31st,  1797.  He  left  two  sons,  Roddy 
and  John.  His  widow  married  Hugh  Reed,  after  which  the  family  removed 
to  (Jeorgia. 

Mr  Hall  was  [present  at  Ccutre  Churcii,  m  North  Carolina,  in  1788  at  a 
meeting  of  the  Synod  of  the  Carolinas  and  was  one  of  the  clerks.  At  a  meet- 
ing of  Synod  held  at  Bethany,  October  Gth,  1790,  it  is  to  be  })resumed  that  he 
was  present,  as  he  is  not  noted  among  the  absentees.  That  occasion  was  his 
last  visit  to  his  uatiye  place. 


Richard  Hug^?,  ^big  was  the  s(m  of  James  and  Sarah  (Hall)  l^ing,  and 
grandson  of  the  elder  James  Hall.  He  was  born  in  Iredell  county,  in  17(17, 
at  the  old  family  residence  on  Snow  Creek.  He  received  his  preparatory  ed- 
ucation at  the  Clio  .school,  near  his  father's,  and  was  graduated  at  Princeton 
College,  N.  J.,  in  the  year  1786.  After  leaving  college  he  studied  law;  be- 
came a  })olitician,  engaging  in  the  political  debates  of  the  day.  He  was  a 
member  of  Bethany  church.  Yet  at  a  revival  meeting  in  1801-2  he  profess- 
ed to  have  vixperienced  a  change  of  heart  tor  the  fir*t  time.     He  attended   the 


JRandoiph  raeetiug  iu  1802,  became  much  excited,  and  only  returned  home 
with  his  friends  after  much  solicitatijii.  He  preached  the  ne^'t 
Sabbath  and  for  sometime  afterwards  iu  that  vicinity.  He  con- 
tinued to  preached  near  his  father's  residence  to  large  audiences.  The 
place  of  assembling  was  a  hill-side,  and  a  projecting  rock  served  for  a  pulpit. 
In  company  with  a  frie^nd  he  went  on  a  tour  of  two  weeks  into  the  forks  of  the 
Yadkin.  He  says  of  this  tour,  *'I  went  with  no  license  from  man,  without  a 
D.D.,  or  the  the  title  of  Reverena,  but  to  preach  as  Richard  Hugg  King, 
Esq."  While  at  college  he  had  i.ssumed  the  name  ©f  "Hugg"  from  a  fellow 
student,  who,  in  like  manner,  had  taken  the  name  of  "Kmg."  About  the 
year  1804  or  5  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  Bishop  Asbury,  of  the  M.  E. 
church.  ^  In  1808  a  time  was  appointed  for  his  ordination,  to  the  full  work 
of  the  ministry  in  that  church.  The  failure  ot  the  Bishop  to  meet  the  ap- 
pointment l©tt  to  that  denomination  his  future  service.  Always  Calvinistic 
in  sentiment,  in  1810  he  joined  the  Presbytery  of  Concord.  He  refused  a 
call  to  the  churches  of  Concord  and  Bethany,  because  the  call  was  not  unan- 
imous. September  13th,  1816  he  was  ordained  an  evangelist.  Soon  after 
this  event  he  renaoved  to  East  Tenne-ssee,  where  he  becam.e,  first,  stated  sup- 
ply, subsequently,  the  pastor  of  Ebenezer  and  Pie^SKuc  Forest  churches, 
which  he  served  many  years.  Resignir)g  his  charge,  he  removed  to  Mary- 
ville,  Tenn.,  and  lived  with  his  son-in-law,  D.  D.  Foute,  until  his  death  in 
1825.  His  wife  survived  him  until  1834.  They  were  both  buried  at 
Maryville.     He  was  a  man  ©f  great  mental  power,  and  no  little  eloquence    of 

speech.  

Rev.  Thomas  James  Hall  was  a  sou  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Sloan)  Hall, 
and  grandson  of  the  first  James  Hall.  He  was  born  in  Bethany  congregation. 
His  early  education  was  obtained  at  the  school  of  the  Rev.  James  Hall,  D.D., 
at  the  Crawford  place.  Later  he  became  assistant  in  the  school  and  continu- 
ed it  for  many  years.  Among  his  pupils  were  the  Rev.  Samuel  Williamson, 
D  D.,  Iatej3resident  of  D..vidson  College;  Rev.  Robert  J.  Hall,  of  Ohio,  and 
the  Rev.  William  A,  Hall  of  Tennessee.  He  became  a  candidate  for  the  min- 
istry in  1793;  was  licaused  by  Concord  Presbytery  as  a  missicmary  to  the  Car- 
olinas  and  Georgia  in  1802,  and  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry 
in  1807.  After  his  oidmation  he  taught  school  for  a  while  at  Liberty  Hill, 
Iredell  county,  North  Carolina.  In  1808  he  preached  at  Liberty  Hill  and 
Concord.  So  great  was  his  eloquence  that  immense  crowds  were  attracted  by 
his  preaching.  In  1812  he  was  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  West  Ten- 
nessee. His  work  was  in  Bedford  county  of  that  state,  where  he  had  as  a 
charge  Rock  Creek  and  another  church.  He  difd  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky., 
where  he  had  gone  to  reside  with  a  daughter,  after  ceasing  to  preach.  His 
remains  were  brought  back  to  Rock  Creek,  and  buried  by  the  side  of  his  wife 
and  children  who  had  died  before  him. 


Rev.  Robert  James  Hall  of  Oxfcml.  Ohio,  was  the  son  of  Alexander  and 
Ann  (Dol)son)  Hall,  a  grandson  of  the  first  James  Hall.  He  was  born  and 
educated  in  the  Bethany  congregation;  he  taught  several  years  and  thus  ob- 
tained the  means  for  a  collegiate  course.  He  entered  the  University  at  Chap- 
el Hill,  N.  C,  in  1822;  was  graduated  in  1824.  Upon  leaving  college  he 
acrain  engaged  in  teaching.    In  1827  he  removed  to  East  Tennessee,  where  he 


beoame  a  teaolier  in  Wasliingtou  College,  near  Jonesbcro.  Wiiile  tluig  engag. 
ed  he  studied  Theol'^gy  under  Dr.  Bovile.  In  1829  be  was  licensed  to 
preacb  by  Hoist  n  Presb}  tery.  The  same  year  he  married  Nancy  Turner, 
daughter  of  tbe  Rev.  JamesTurner  and  removed  to  the  state  of  Ohio.  He 
located  near  the  city  of  Cincinnati.  After  sixteen  years  of  labor  bis  health 
gave  way.  Being  afflicted  with  bronchitis,  he  ceased  to  preacb,  yet  continued 
10  labor  in  the  capacity  of  colporteur^  I^l'*^^'^  he  wasstill  alive,  residing  a/i 
Oxford,  But'er  C'ujpiy,  Ohio, 

Rev.  William  Alexander  Hall,  son  of  James  Thomas  and  Rachel  (Johnston) 
Hall,  and  a  great  grandson  of  the  first  James  Hall;  was  born  in  Bethan)  con- 
gregation July  20,  1799.  He  prepared  for  college  under  the  tuition  of  the 
Rev.  John  Mushat,  of  Sfatesville,  a  teacher  ot  much  celebrity  at  that  time. 
In  the  summer  of  1822  ho  2:raduated  from  the  8fate  University  at  Chapel 
Hill.  After  leaving  the  University  he  ens^aged  in  teaching  at  Bethany 
church,  and  became  the  founder,  at  that  place,  of  Ebenezer  Academy,  an 
institution  that  gained  much  celebrity  as  a  classical  sc'hool.  His  uncle,  Rob- 
ert ^!.  Hall,  succeeded  him  as  principal  of  the  school,  and  he  was  succeeded 
by  Hugh  R.  Hall,  a  pupil  of  William  A.,  who  continued  his  connection 
with  it  for  more  than  thirty  years.  A  number  ot  the  pupils  of  William 
A.  have  become  distinguished  in  both  church  and  state.  One  a  member 
of  the  United  States  Senate,  one  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
one  a  State  Senator,  one  a  Bishop  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  anothei  a  For- 
eign Missionary.  Among  the  remainder  are  fuund  ministers,  lawyers  and 
teachers.  During  the  s«cond  year  of  his  professorship  at  Ebenezer  he  connec- 
ted himself  with  Bethany  church  and  decided  to  enter  the  ministry.  The 
next  year  he  was  received  under  the  care  of  the  Concord  Pre.^bytery.  In  that 
da}'  there  was  no  Theological  Seminary  south  of  Princeton,  and  candidates 
for  the  ministry  prosecuted  their  studies  under  the  tutorship  of  individual  min- 
isters. The  Theological  studies  of  xMr.  Hall  were  directed  by  the  Rev.  John 
M.  Erwin,  at  that  time  pastor  of  Bethany  church.  A  year  later  he  resigned 
his  charge  of  Ebenezer  Academy,  and  removed  to  York,  South  Carolina, 
where  he  again  engaged  in  teaching,  at  the  same  time  continuing  his  ministe- 
rial preparations  under  the  direction  ot  Rev.  James  Adams.  He  remained 
there  one  year,  after  which  he  returned  to  Bethany,  and  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Presbytery  of  Concord  at  its  meeting  at  Salisbury,  in  Au- 
gust, 182*7.  The  succeeding  year  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  churches  of  Joppa,  near 
Mocksville  and  Unity  in  Rowan  county.  For  twenty-five  years  he  faithfully 
and  earnestly  labored  in  these  churches.  During  the  period  of  his  pastorate 
there  he  organized  Franklin  church  and  supplied  the  same  until  it  became 
self-supporting.  On  December  18th.  1828,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Olivia 
C.  Hall,  of  the  Bethany  congregation.  In  1850  he  received  and  accepted 
an  iuritation  to  take  charije  of  the  churches  of  Trenton  and  Zion  in  Gibson 
county,  Tennessee.  In  1852  he  joined  the  Presbytery  of  the  Western  Dis- 
trict. He  served  the  Trenton  and  Zion  churches  for  two  years,  after  which 
he  removed  to  another  section  of  the  county,  where  he  labored  with  great  suc- 
cess, for  many  years.  He  organized  a  number  of  churches  within  the  bounds 
of  that  Presbytery  among  the  number  the  churches  of  Yorkyille,  Dyers- 
burg   and   Smyrna.     After    a    residence    of     ?«5Yenteen    yea^rs   in    Gibson,^ 


having  been  deprived  bj  death  of  the  companionship  of  his  wife,  his  chil- 
dren having  married,  he  removed,  in  January,  1867,  in  company  with  his 
onlj  son,  to  the  Mount  Carmel  community  in  Tipton  county,  where  his  father 
and  mother  were  buried,  and  where  resided  a  number  of  brothers  and  other 
near  relatives. 

At  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Tipton  he  had  reached  that  period  of  life 
■when  the  infirmities  of  age  begin  to  grow  burdensome,  and  men  usually 
desire  retirement  from  active  work.  His  condition  and  surroundings  would 
have  influenced  a  maj?>rity  to  this  course.  A  home  provided  with  ample  com- 
forts and  means  to  enable  him  to  «njov,  through  the  remaining^  days  of  his 
life,  ease  and  quiet,  failed  to  divorce  him  from  his  life's  work.  With  him  life 
meant  werk.  In  the  spring  succeeding  his  removal  to  Tipten  he  accepted  the 
care  of  the  church  at  Belmont,  fifteen  miles  distant  from  his  home.  Soon 
after  taking  charge  of  this  church  he  succeeded  in  removing  it  to  Masen,  a 
thriving  lown  on  the  Louisville  and  Nashville  Railroad,  and  was  instrumental 
in  securing  the  erection  of  a  commodious  church  building  at  that  place.  For 
five  or  more  years  her^^gularly  ministered  to  that  people.  The  earnestness  ot 
his  efforts,  the  gentleness  and  meekness  of  his  life  won  for  him  an  abiding 
lore  in  the  hearts  of  his  flock.  One  of  his  eiders  urged  him  to  make  his  fam- 
ily his  home.  Long  will  his  memory  remain  green  in  the  hearts  of  the  Mason 
people.  His  next  field  tti  labor  was  in  a  community  knewa  as  Centre,  about 
twelve  miles  from  his  home.  His  congregation  at  that  point  were  without  a 
house  of  worship.  He  was  permitted  the  use  of  a  Baptist  churck  in  the 
vicinity.  Through  his  efforts  a  church  building  was  soon  erecfsd,  and  the 
congregation  insisted  on  naMing  the  church  in  honor  of  him.  This  ke 
declined,  and  the  church  was  called  Centre.  This  was  his  last  regular  charge. 
After  a  few  years  of  faithful  labor  in  this  field  he  was  forced  by  the  increasing 
infirmities  of  age  to  retire  from  active  labor.  He  continued  to  preach,  as 
oDportunity  presented,  until  the  close  of  life.  On  the  morning  or  the  30th 
of  AugUBt,  1877,  an  angel  came  and  closed  down  the  shutters  ovf  r  the  win- 
dows ♦jf  life.  He  who  had  so  ofien  been  the  instrument  of  blessings  to  others 
was  himself  blessed.  Humanity  is  heir  to  many  faults  and  infirmities;  the 
most  perfect  ch:*racter  has  its  lig^hts  and  shades.  He  doubtless  had  his;  if  so, 
they  were  hid  from  view  by  the  resplendence  of  those  virtues  that  adorned 
his  life.  Meekness  and  charity  did  for  his  life  that  which  the  sculptor's  chisel 
does  for  the  rough  stone.  Smoothing,  polishing  and  beautifyino;  the  rough 
points  brings  to  yiew  a  form  of  beauty  and  grace.  His  life  and  character,  in 
a  preeminent  manner,  illustrated  the  beauty  and  power  of  faith 
and  love.  He  was  the  embodiment  of  gentleness  and  love,  yet 
not  effeminate.  His  convictioas  Tvere  deep;  his  will  strong;  his 
integrity  immovable.  So  gentle  was  his  life  that  the  casual  ac- 
quaintance failed  to  discover  how  strong  were  the  undercurrents  of  his  nature. 
So  perfect  was  his  self-discipline  that  those  who  came  in  contact  with  him  only 
remember  his  christian  beneficence  and  unbounded  charily.  His  life  was  too 
full  of  Heavenly  grace  for  selfishness,  ostentation  or  pride  to  find  a  lodgement. 
The  remembrance  of  his  life  is  like  unto  that  of  a  sweet  psalm,  or  the  minor 
note  of  a  soft  melody.  His  virtues  and  graces  attracted  all  classes  and  condi- 
tions.    The  exalted  purity  and  earnestness  of  his  life   commanded    their   rev- 


erence  a^ad  admiration.  It  can  be  said  of  him  that  the  world  is  better  for  his 
h&vlno:  Jived  in  it.  The  words  selected  bv  the  Rev.  S.  B.  O.  Wilson  for  his 
funeral  discourse  were  peculiarly  appropriate  :  "For  he  was  a  good  man  and 
full  ot  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith."  His  fifty  years  of  zealous  labor  in  the 
ministry  wa*  crowned  by  the  most  gratifying  results,  the  full  measure  of  which 
will  only  be  realized  m  eternity. 

He  was  buried  at  the  Mount  Carmel  Cemetery  by  the  side  of  his  wife  and 
daughter.  The  life  of  this  good  man  was  a  Yolurae  of  sermons;  when  com- 
j^leted  God  closed  the  lid«  and  he  was  carried  by  the  angels  to  glory.* 

Key.  James  Davidson  Hall,  brother  of  William  A.  Hall,  was  born  at  his 
father's  ©Id  place,  three  miles  from  Statesville,  in  1806.  He  was  the  seventh 
of  a  family  of  ten  children,  all  of  whom  came  to  mature  age.  He  obtained 
his  preparatory  education  in  the  school  of  his  brother  \Villiam  A.  Hall  at 
Bethany  church. 

Here  he  spent  f  )ur  years  preparing  to  join  the  junior  class  at  Cliapel  Hill; 
the  fourth  year  under  Kobeit  Sloan  Hall,  his  uncle,  who  both  preceeded  and 
succeeded  William  A.  Hall  as  teacher  in  Ebenezer  Academy.  He  entered  the 
junior  class  in  the  University  of  North  Carolina  in  the  summer  of  1826,  grad- 
uated in  1828,  when  Drs. Caldwell,  Mitchell  and  Hooper  were  professors,  and 
Hiatz  was  instructor  in  modern  languages.  From  1828  to  1830  he  taught 
an  Academy  at  Washington,  North  Carolina.  He  then  went  to  Union  Sem- 
inary, Virginia,  remaining  until  the  spring  of  1833,  when  he  was  licensed 
April  6th,  1833.  by  Concoi'd  Fresbytery  at  Rocky  River  church. 

He  then  v>'ent  as  a  domestic  missionary  to  Rocking^ham  county,  North 
Carolina,  preaching  at  various  points  in  that  and  in  Guilford  county.  Here 
he  joined  Orange  Presbytery,  and  was  ordained  as  aa  evangelist,  and  married 
his  first  wife,  Miss  Elizabeth  Scott.  Iq  the  spring  of  1836  he  removed  to 
Rowan  county  and  took  charge  of  Thyatria  and  Franklin  churches,  the  former 
an  old,  the  latter  a  new  church,  which  had  been  ministered  to  by  his  brother 
Will'am  A.  Hall,  and  remauied  in  charge  of  these  churches  until  the  fall  of 
1846,  when  he  remov«d  '.o  that  part  of  Lincoln  county,  now  embraced  in 
Gaston  county,  where  he  still  resides.  He  has  served  as  trustee  of  Davidson 
College  twenty-nine  years;  supplied  tht  churches  of  Goshen  and  New  Hope 
twelve  years,  preaching  alternately  at  each,  and  on  the  fifth  Sabbaths  and  on 
week  days  at  Oluey,  which  at  that  time  had  very  few  members.  After  a  time 
he  became  ])astor  ftf  the  three  churches,  and  in  all  served  Goshen  twent3'-four 
years.  New  Hope,  eighteen,  and  Oluey  seven teeu  years,  haying  received  in 
all  his  ministry  into  his  churches  by  examination  six  hundred  members  and 
still  surrives,  August,  1875. 


Rev.  Thomas  Stanhope  King  was  the  son  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  Nis- 
bet  King,  a  grandson  of  James  and  Sarah  Hall  King  and  great  grandson  of 
the  first  James  Hall.  He  was  born  in  Iredell  County,  North  Carolina,  in  the 
year  1808.     He  entered  Franklin  College  at  Athens,  Georgia,  as  an  irregular 

*The  memory  of  this  sainted  man  ii  so  precious  to  his  many  friends  in  Tipton  that 
tboy  have  taken  the  liberty  of  extending  the  skotch  of  bim. 


student,  but  prosecuted  his  studies  but  a  short  while.  After  the  death 
of  his  wife,  he  removed  to  Rankin  County,  Mississippi,  and  became  a  minister 
of  the  Baptist  denomination.  At  a  subsequent  periv^d  hs  removed  to  the 
state  of  Arkansas,  where  he  died  in  1872. 


Kev.  Junius  Brevard  King  was  the  sen  of  Samuel  and  Cynthia  (Winslow) 
King,  grandson  ol  James  nnd  Sarah(Hall)  King  and  great  grandson  of  the  first 
James  Hall.  He  was  born  and  raised  on  Snow  Creek,  Iredell  Conutj,  North 
Carolina;  prepared  for  college  at  New  Clio,  in  his  father's  neighborhood,  under 
tke  instruction  of  Prof.  Hugh  R.  Hall,  and  was  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill  in 
the  year  1833. 

In  November  of  that  year  he  went  to  XJiiion  Theological  Seminary,  in  Vir- 
ginia, took  the  regular  course  and  was  licensed  to  preach  by  CoBcard  Presby- 
tery in  1836. 

Going  to  Alabama  he  took  charge  of  Valley  Creek  church  r.ear  Selma,  and 
preached  with  great  acceptance  and  usefulness  until  his  death  by  cholera  in 
1849.  HehiTd  been  to  Texas  to  settle  some  business  connected  with  the  es- 
tate of  his  brother,  James  Albert  King,  where  he  took  the  disease,  returned 
home,  died  on  Saturday,  and  the  Rev.  R.  B.  Cater,  who  v/aa  called  to  attend 
his  funeral  the  next  day,  died  also  on  Monday  of  the  same  disease. 

Mrs.  King,  originally  Miss  Eugenia  Knox,  whom  he  had  married  iu  1841, 
died  soon  atter  her  husband. 


Rev.  Thomas  Pinkney  Johnston  was  a  son  of  William  Smiley  and  Mary 
Hall  Johnston  and  a  great-grandson  of  the  first  James  Hall,  through  his  son 
Thomas.  He  was  born  in  the  Third  Creek  Congregation,  Rswaa  county. 
North  Carolina.  Pie  received  his  preparatory  course  at  Ebenezer  Academy 
at  Betkany,  and  graduated  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina  in  the  year 
1828.  After  completing  his  collegiate  course  he  taught  one  term  at  Jonesboro, 
Tennessee,  also  taugkt  one  term  at  Washington  College,  near  that  place.  In 
1832  he  graduated  from  Urion  Theological  Seminary,  Virginia.  The  same 
year  he  was  licensed  to  preach  at  Unity,  Lincoln  county.  He  was  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  at  Bethany  church  on  October  4tb,  1833.  He 
WPS  the  first  missionary  sent  to  a  foreign  land  by  the  Synod  of  North  Carolina. 
In  the  year  1834  he  went  to  Constantinople  under  the  auspices  of  the  Ameri- 
can Board  of  Foreign  Mission.  In  that  city  he  remained  a  year,  preparing:, 
by  studying  the  language,  for  his  mission.  He  established  a  Mission  station 
at  Trebizond  and  continued  it  until  1844.  In  September  of  that  year  he 
rem()ved  to  Smyrna,  where  he  labored  until  1853,  when  he  returned  to 
America.  The  winters  of  1854-5  were  spent  in  lecturing  on  the  manners  and 
customs  of  the  Turks.  For  three  mouths  of  the  year  1855  he  supplied  the 
church  at  Charlotte.  In  June  ke  removed  to  lievrcastle,  Tennessee,  where  he 
took  charge  of  a  Fear  ale  Institute.  In  July,  1856,  he  was  appointed  agent  for 
the  American  Bible  Society  for  North  Mississippi.  In  this  field  he  eontinued 
to  labor  until  interrupted  by  the  war  in  1861.  Between  this  period  and  1866 
he  supplied  several  churches  in  that  section  of  country.  About  that  year  he 
returned  to  North  Carolina  and  took  charge  of  the  churches  ot  Drusilla,  in 
McDowell  county,  and  Silver  Creek  Chapel  in  Burke  county.  He  remained 
jn  charge  ef  these  congregations  until  1873,    since  which   time   he  has   been 


engaged  in  the  woik  of  colportagc  iu  Western  North  Carolina,  ii.  which  he    is 
DOW  labonni'  with  i^reat  success  aud  usefulness. 


Rev.  Robert  Alexander  Johnston,  a  brother  of  the  last  abovt,  was  born  in 
Third  Creek  Cong:ref(ation,  and  prepared  for  college  in  the  Ebenezer  Acad- 
emy under  the  tuitiou  of  Hugh  R.  Hall;  iu  1834  entered  the  Freshman  class 
iii  Centre  College,  DauYJlle,  Kentucky,  then  undtr  the  presidency  of  Rev. 
Jno.  C.  Young,  D.D.,  where  he  graduated  in  1838.  He  was  engaged  as 
tutor  in  the  preparatory  department  in  the  year  1839,  studying  TheoUgy  at 
the  same  time.  In  1840  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Princeton, 
where  he  remained  until  May,  1842. 

In  October,  1842,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  Transylvania  Presbytery, 
and  was  immediately  invited  to  take  charge  •£  the  churches  of  Lancaster  and 
Paint  Lick  in  that  Presbytery,  and  in  August,  1843,  was  ordained  aud  in- 
stalled their  pastor.  In  1845  he  ceased  to  serve  the  former  of  these  two 
churches,  but  continued  the  pastor  of  the  latter  until  the  fall  of  1865.  Then 
the  relation  of  pastor  to  that  church  was  dissolved  with  the  view  of  becoming: 
the  Financial  Agent  of  the  Danville  The«iogical  Seminary  and  Centre  Col- 
lege. He  continued  in  thii  office  until  June,  1872,  when  hs  ceased  to  act  for 
the  College,  but  has  continued  the  agency  for  the  Theological  Seminary  until 
the  present  time.  In  the  meantime  he  has  preached  the  Gospel  to  several 
vacant  churches  in  the  vicinity  of  Danville,  where  he  is  still  engaged  in  the 
work  of  the  Holy  Ministry,  together  with  the  work  of  his  agency. 

Rev.  Wm.  Hall  Johnston,  son  of  Rol)ert  and  Dorcas  (Hall)  Johnston, 
^aodson  of  Hugh  Hall  aud  great-grandson  ef  the  first  James  Hall,  a  native 
>i{  Third  Creek  (Congregation  in  Rowan  county,  Nortn  Carolina;  attended 
Ebenezer  Academy  under  Hugh  R.  Hall;  graduated  at  Davidson  College  in 
1840;  went  to  Princeton  Theological  Seminary  ia  1841,  awd   was   licensed   by 

He  preached  in  the  bounds  of  Cherokee  Presbytery,  Georgia;  died  at  York- 
ville,  South  Caroliaa,  in  1859,  and  was  buried  at  Bethel  church. 


i^tv.  r>o]),rt  McCutcheon  Hall  was  a  gen  ot  Robert  Sloan  and  Anna 
fkiug)  Hall,  and  a  grandson  of  Thoi.  Hall,  and  great-grandson  of  the_  first 
James  Hall;  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Indiana,  in  1841.  In  1853  he 
removed  with  his  parents  and  family  to  Plymouth,  Illinois,  where,  in  1855,  he 
united  with  the  Congregational  Church.  He  was  the  tenth  and  youngest 
child  of  his  parents.  Here  he  received  his  English  education  and  entered 
Knox  Academy  in  1864,  Knox  College,  1865.  and  was  graduated  in  1869; 
entered  the  Theological  Seminary  in  September  ot  the  same  year,  and  at  the 
end  ot  a  year  thereafter  was  licensed  to  preach  for  four  monthi  by  the  Cen- 
tral West  Association,  Congregational,  at  Galesburg,  Illinois,  May,  1S70. 
During  this  time  he  supplied  two  Congcreejational  churches  in  Illinois,  after 
which  he  went  to  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  Masa  ,  but  in  a  few  weeks 
was  compelled  to  leave  on  account  of  ill-health.  He  returned  home  and 
worked  on  a  farm  for  a  year.  In  April,  1871,  he"was  licensed  to  preach  for 
two  years  by  the  Quiucy  Association  at  LaHarp. 


In  October  •£  that  year  he  entered  Lane  ITieological  Semipary  near  Cin- 
cinnati, where  he  completed  his  Theological  course,  May,  1873,  having  been 
received  into  the  Presbyte'-y  of  Cincinnati  th«  month  before  as  a  lictntiate, 
iprefsrring  both  the  doctrijies  and  government  of  that  church.  Soon  after  he 
(loft  the  Seminary  he  was  appointed  by  the  Committee  of  Freedmen  of  the 
!Northern  Presbyterian  church.  Professor  in  Biddle  Institute  at  Charlotte, 
J&^orth  Carolina,  and  missionary  to  the  colored  people. 

In  April,  1874,  he  was  ordained  by  the  Catawba  Presbytery. 

Rev.  James  McEwen  Hall  Adams,  son  of  Rer.  JaiMes  and  Erixena 
'(McEwen)  Adams,  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  North  ("arolina, .  Dec.  25th, 
1810.  His  mother  was  the  daughter  and  only  child  ef  Rev.  James  McEwen, 
who  married  Jane,  the  daughter  of  the  first  James  Hall,  about  the  year 
1778,  then  the  widow  Rosebrough,  and  sister  of  Rev.  James  Hall,  D.D.,  se 
that  he  rightly  inherited  the  nanae  of  James  McEwen  Hall  Adams.  He  was 
ithus  the  great-grandson  of  the  first  James  Hall.  His  preparatory  course  was 
at  Bethel  Academy,  York  district,  South  Carelina;  went  to  College  at  seyen- 
teen  years  of  age;  graduated  at  Franklia  College,  Athens,  Georgia,  1829,  and 
was  the  first  <^t  the  list  of  graduates  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Colum- 
'bia,  South  Carolina,  in  1833. 

He  proposed  to  go  with  some  of  his  class  on  a  Foreign  Mission,  but  the 
condition  of  his  father's  family  would  net  permit  it. 

He  was  licensed  by  Bethel  Presbytery  in  1833,  and  ordained  at  Bethel 
church  by  the  same  Presbytery  in  1834  as  an  evangelist. 

He  had  charge  ot  Unity  church,  Lincoln  county.  North  Carolina,  Bethel 
church,  situated  in  Mecklenburg:,  N.  C,  until  1837,  Third  Creek  Church  in 
Rowan  county  from  1837  till  1850.  where  he  was  much  beloved;  thence  he 
went  to  Asheville  in  1849,  but  returned  to  Third  Creek  in  1850;  lupplied 
Thyatira  and  Back  Creek  for  a  time;  went  to  Yorkville,  South  Carolina, 
preached  and  taught  a  female  school  until  his  death,  March  31st,  1862.  He 
was  baptized,  prepared  for  college,  licensed,  ordained  and  buried  at  Bethel 
church,  the  church  ot  his  fathers,  in  York  county.  South  Carolina.  At  the 
time  of  his  death  he  was  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  South  Carolina.  A 
brother  minister  whe  knew  him  well  says  ot  him:  "He  was  one  of  the  no- 
blest ministers  I  ever  knew.     His  memory  is  precious." 


Rev.  Hugh  Wilson,  son  of  Rev.  Louis  Feuilleteau  Wilson  and 
Margaret  (Hall)  °  Wilson  was  the  grandson  of  Hugh  Hall  and  the 
great-grandson  of  the  first  James  Hall;  bora  in  Bethany  con 
greeation  March  16th,  1794;  prepared  for  college  at  the  school  of 
Rev.  John  McCamie  Wilson,  D.D.,  of  Rocky  River;  was  graduated  at 
Princeton  College,  New  Jersey,  in  1819;  finished  his  course  in  Princeton  The- 
ological Seminary  in  1822;  married  Ethalinda  Hall,  sister  of  Rev.  William  A. 
and  James  Davidson  Hall,  June  12th,  1822;  licensed  the  same  year  by  Con- 
cord Presbytery.  Soon  afterwards  he  was  ordained  by  the  same 
Presbytery  at  this  place  (Bethany)  to  be  a  missionary,  and  went  on  a 
mission  te  the  Chectaw  Indians  in  Georgia,  among  whom  he  remained  threa 
years. 


He  iheu  went  to  the  Chickasaw  Natiou  and  established  a  mission  on  Cano 
Creek,  ei(;hteeii  miles  from  Tuscumbia,  AUbania,  where  he  remained  about 
seven  years,  thus  spending  ten  years  ot  his  life  among  the  Indians,  After 
their  removal  by  the  Government  of  the  United  States  beyond  the  Mississippi 
river  he  removed  to  'lipton  county.  West  Tennessee.  In  1834  he  organized 
the  Blount  Carmel  Church,  at  that  time  the  only  Presbyterian  churcK  in  that 
county.  He  was  assisted  at  its  organization  by  Mr.  James  Holmes,  who  had 
been  his  c<)-laborer  among  the  Indians,  and  wh©  later  became  the  Rev.  Jam«s 
Helmes,  D.D.  He  spent  several  years  in  labors  tlere  that  resulted  in  the 
establishment  of  a  church  that  remains  to  this  day  a  very  bulwark  of  Presby- 
terianism.  In  the  year  1837  he  went  on  an  explorius:  t»urto  the  then  Repub- 
lic of  Texas,  and  in  the  sprins^  of  1838  removed  his  family  there.  He  organ- 
ized the  first  Presbyterian  church  in  Texas  at  San  Augustine  in  the  same  year. 
In  October  of  that  year  he  went  to  Independence,  Washington  county  ard 
spent  two  V'-ars.  la  the  winter  ot  1840-1  he  organized  a  church  at  Gay  Hill 
and  remained  there  until  1850,  when  he  removed  to  Burleson  county.  In 
May,  1852,  he  organized  a  church  at  String  Prairie,  to  which  he  ministered 
with  faithfulness  and  success  until  death  ended  his  labors,  March  8th,  1868,  in 
his  seventy-fourth  year,  leaving  his  second  wife  a  widow  and  two  daughters 
orphans. 

He  was  a  forcible,  earnest  preacher  and  a  devoted  christian. 


Rev.  Louis  Feuilleteau  ^Yllsou,  brother  of  Rev.  Hugh  Wilson, 
last  above,  waft  born  here  (Bethany)  August  lOth,  1804.  He  pre- 
pared in  part  at  Eljeaezer  Academy  for  college  under  Rev.  Wil- 
liam A.  Hall  from  ]822  t»  1823,  who  says  of  him  "That  he  was  a 
nice  youth  and  a  natural  orator."  In  1826  he  went  to  th©  University  of 
Nashville,  Tenn.;  in  1830  went  to  Princeton  Seminary.  He  was  licensed  by 
the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick  in  1832;  he  went  to  Woodstock,  Shenan- 
doah county,  Virginia,  in  1833. 

In  1834  he  wais  called  to  Strasburg  and  Woodstock  churches  in  the  valley 
of  Virgiflia.  Then,  in  1836,  U^  Gerrardstown,  Tusciirora  and  Falling 
Waters  in  Barkeley  county,  Virginia,  and  installed  there  in  1837. 

In  1853  he  conn'ned  his  labors" to  the  last  place  mentioned,  in  connection 
with  Hancock,  Maryland,  but  after  a  time  resumed  Tuscarora  and  continued 
uatil  1872,  when  he  retired  to  a  farm  in  Jefferson  county,  Virginia,  where  he 
died  March,  1873.     He  trained  *  large  number  of  youag  men  for    the  gospel 

ministry.  

Rev.  Frontis  Howe  Johnston,  sm  of  Rev.  Thos  Pinkney  and  Mary  Aime 
(Howq)  Johnston,  and  fourth  in  descent  from  the  first  James  Hall,  through 
his  son  Thomas,  was  born  in  Constantinople  in  Turkey  in  Europe.  He  re- 
ceived his  earl  v^  education  and  preparation  lor  college  in  Trebizond  and 
Smyrna  in  Asia;  was  graduated  at  Davidson  College  in  this  State,  (North 
Carolina)  in  1855;  took  a  full  course  in  Theology  in  Union  Theological  Serai- 
nary,  Virginia,  and  was  licensed  by  Concord  Presbytery  soon  «fier  leaving 
the  Seminliry  in  the  year  1858;  supplied  the  church  of  Philadelphia,  Mecklen- 
bursi  county,  North  Carolina,  to  the  end  of  the  year,  and  in  January,  1859, 
went  to  Lexington,  North  Carolina,  where  he  centinues  to  preach.  He  also 
serves  Wiustcn  church,  Forsythe  county.  North  Carolina,  which  he  organized 


iu  Oct®ber,  1862,  a  part  of  his  time. 


Rer.  William  Curtis  JohnstoD,  brother  of  the  last  above,  graduated  at  Yale 
College  in  1860;  the  same  year  entered  Danville,  Kentucky.  Theological  S«ra- 
inftry,  and  continued  for  two  years,  when  he  was  licensed  and  ordained  bj 
Transylvania  Presbytery,  and  became  chaplain  of  a  Kentuck}''  regiment  in  the 
Federal  army.  He  died  the  gam«  year  and  was  buried  at  Munfordsville, 
Kentucky.  He  was  born  while  his  parents  were  at  the  Missionary  station  in 
Trebizond  iu  Asia  Minor. 


Rev.  Samuel  Harris  Stevenson,  was  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Lydia  (Harris) 
Stevenson,  a  native  of  Concord  congregation  in  this  (Iredell)  County,  N.  C, 
wa«  born  October  19,  1813.  His  father,  Thos  Stevenson,  was  the  son  of 
Prudence  (Hall)  Stevenson,  the  daujg^hter  of  Thomas  Hall,  who  was  the  son 
of  the  first  James  Hall.  He  received  his  primary  eduf'ation  in  Concord  con- 
gregation, preparation  for  college  in  Ebenezer  Academy,  under  Hugh  R. 
Hall;  went  to  Danville,  Ky.,  and  entered  the  freshman  clags  in  Center  Col- 
lege in  the  spring  of  1835,  and  was  graduated  in  September  183S. 

In  the  tall  of  1840  he  entered  tbe  Theological  Seminary  at  Princeton,  but 
owing  to  sickness  he  was  forced  to  give  up  his  studies  and  return  hoine. 

In  the  fall  of  1841  he  returned  to  Princeton,  N.  J  ,  entered  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  the  beginning  of  the  term,  and  pursued  his  studies  four  months. 
In  August,  1843  he  was  married  and  took  charge  of  the  Richmond,  Ky., 
Female  Seminary,  which  he  continued  for  three  years,  and  then  removed  to 
Danville,  Ky.,  to  take  char2:e  of  a  female  school  in  the  fall  of  1846,  in  charge 
ot  which  he  continued  until  June,  1854. 

In  the  year  1853  the  Theological  Seminary  was  located  in  Danville,  and  as 
they  occupied  Center  College  buildings,  the  professors  conducted  the  exercises 
in  the  afternoon,  he  arrangins;  his  classes  in  school  so  that  he  could  hear  them  in 
the  forenoon.  He  attended  the  Theological  lectures  and  recitations  in  the 
afternoon  and  thus  pursued  his  studies  in  the  Seminary  the  first  year.  In  the 
spring  of  1854  he  sold  his  school  property  to  the  Theological  Seminary  and 
continued  his  studies  another  year,  when  he  was  licensed  by  Transylvania  ' 
Presbytery.  In  a  month  or  two  afterwards  he  fouad  a  field  of  labor  in  two 
small^churches  in  Illinois,  one  located  in  Clinton,  DeWitt  County,  and  the 
other  in  Randolph  Grove,  McLean  County,  (now  called  Hey  worth,)  where 
he  commenced  his  ministry  the  last  Sabbath  in  July,  1855.  He  was  ©rdain- 
ed  and  installed  by  Peoria  Presbytery  pastor  of  these  churches  in  Septembar, 
1856  and  continued  to  preach  to  both  of  th»nft  until  October,  1858,  whec,  at 
the  request  ot  the  people  of  ^Randolph  Grove  (now  Heyworth)  Presbytery 
released  him  from  Clinton,  that  he  might  sive  his  whole  time  to  the  latter 
church.  H«re  he  continued  until  May,  1866,  where  he  accepted  a  call  from 
Union  Grove  Church,  in  Putnam  Co.,  111.,  to  which  church  Presbytery  trans- 
ferred him,  where  he  continued  for  five  years.  Failing  to  receive  an  adequate 
support,  on  account  of  the  weakened  condition  of  the  church  by  deaths  and 
removals,  he  was  released  to  take  charge  of  a  graded  school  in  Heyworth, 
where  he  continued  two  years.  While  conductiug  this  school  he  supplied  a 
small  church  near  by  lor  eighteen  months.     Compelled  by  the   failing  health 


of  his  wife  to  give  up  both  the  s«hooI  and  his  ehurch,  he  removed  to  a  farm- 
near  Gilman,  III.,  whtr«  he  resided  eighteen  months,  preachings  part  of  the 
time  to  a  small  church  in  the  neighborhood.  After  the  death  of  his  vrife,  in 
January,  1872,  he  comraenccd  preaching  again  to  some  small  churches,  con- 
tinuing tor  six  months  when  he  received  an  invitation  to  supply  Jersey  church, 
Champaign  Co.,  111.,  which  he  now  serves,  entering  upon  his  labors  th.ere  the 
first  Sabbath  in  October,  1872.     Here  God  has  greatly  blessed    him    in   his 

labors.  

Rer.  Wm.  Andrew  Wood,  son  of  Wm.B.  and  Margaret  D.  (Knox)  Wood,, 
a  great  £jran<dson  of  the  first  James  Hall,  through  hid  son  Hugh,  and  grand- 
aaughter,  Dorcas,  a  native  of  Third  Creek:  Congregation,  Kowan  Co.,  N.  C. 
Attended  Ebenezer  Academy  under  Hugh  R.  Hall,  Esq.,  graduated  at  Da- 
vidson College  in  1852,  went  to  Princeton  Seminary  and  spent  two  years, 
1854-1855,  then  went  to  Edinburgh,  Scotland  one  year  and  then  toCwlumbia 
Seminary  one  year.  Licensed  at  Statesrille  by  Concord  Presbytery  in  1858. 
July  23,  1859.  he  was  installed  pastor  ef  Bethany,  Tabor  and  Fifth  Creek. 
After  continuing  here  two  years  he  went  to  Washington,  N.  C,  where  he 
remained  until  the  place  was  occupied  by  the  federal  forces.  Then  he  went 
te  Aiheville,  N.  C,  in  1862,  continuing  until  1864  after  which  he  returned 
to  Third  Creek,  Fitth  Creek  and  Unity  Churches.  In  1869  he  was  called 
to  Fourth  Creek  Church,  where  he  still  remains,  August,  1875,  in  the  midst 
ef  hia  uftefuluess  v*ud  labors. 


Rev.  William  Thomas  Hall,  now  of  Lynchburg,  Va.,  is  the  son  ef  Rev, 
James  Davidson  and  Mrs.  Isabella  (Scott)  Hall,  the  fourth  in  descent  from 
the  first  James  Hall  through  hig  son  Thomas;  was  prepared  for  College  by  his 
father  at  his  residence  in  Gaston  County,  North  Carolina.  He  entered  Da- 
vidson Collegia  in  the  midf  le  of  the  Sophomore  year,  and  graduated  in  1854; 
pursued  his  Theological  studies  at  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  where  he  com- 
pleted his  course  in  1858.  He  was  licensed  by  Concord  Presbytery  in  the 
■pring  of  1358.  Soon  after  he  entered  upon  the  work  of  the  miuistry  at  Lan- 
casterviile,  South  Carolina,  but  remained  there  only  three  menths;  yet  in  that 
time  twenty  persons  united  with  the  church  on  profession,  most  of  them  in 
the  prim©  of  life,  well  educated  and  wealthy.  They  still  remain  the  pillars  of 
that  church.  Earlv  in  1859  he  was  called  to  Ebenezer  church,  York  County, 
South  Carolina,  and  was  ordained  there  by  Bethel  Presbjtery.  For  three 
years  his  labors  were  greatly  blessed.  In  1861  he  went  to  Canton,  Misj^issippi, 
where  he  was  pastor  ten  years.  A  part  ot  this  time,  from  the  battle  of  Chica- 
manga  to  the  final  surrender  at  Greensboro,  North  Carolina,  he  served  as 
chaplain  in  the  confederate  army  of  Tennessee.  During  his  stay  at  Canton 
the  church  increased  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  and  thirty-five  members,  the 
house  of  worship  was  repaired  and  a  parsonage  built.  In  1872  he  was  called 
to  Lynchbure.  Va.  lu  two  years  that  church  has  grown  from  two  hundred 
and  twelve  to  two  hundred  and  eighty-five  members  and  has  built  a  chapel  in 
a  destitute  portion  of  the  city.  In  1877  the  Southwestern  University  confer- 
red the  degree  of  D.D.  upon  him. 

Rev.  Edwin  Lindsey  Wilson,  son  of  Kev.    Louis    Feuilleteau    Wils(.n,  was 


born  in  Barklej  County,  Virginia,  July  14,  1845.  His  education  before  en- 
tering College  was  obtained  mostly  at  home.  He  spent  one  year  with  Rev. 
James  R.  Grfiham  at  Winchester,  Virginia.  He  entered  Hampden  Sidney 
ColIeg;e  in  September,  1866,  where  he  graduated  in  1869,  in  June;  and  the 
tulloTviug  fkll  entered  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  Virginia,  an<l  gradu- 
at«d  in  Maf ,  1872.  His  iather  at  that  time  being  in  declining  healtb,  insist 
ed  that  he  should  remain  with  him  at  Falling  Waters,  where  he  had  been 
pastor  nearly  all  of  his  ministerial  lite,  a  period  ot  thirty-six  years.  He  con- 
tinued there,  preaching  tvrice  each  Sabl)ath,  till  the  nniddle  of  Auajust  in  ihat 
auxnmcr.  At  that  time  he  received  a  call  to  the  church  at  Haiicock,  Md,, 
then  unaer  the  care  of  the  Northern  x\ssembly.  He  accepted  the  call,  on 
condition  that  they  would  join  the  Presb3Mery  ot  Winchester,  connected  with 
the  Southern  Assembly,  to  which  they  geographically  belo!i»;ed.  This  thev 
did  at  once,  and  he  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  that  church  October 
3rd,  1872.  He  continued  here  till  February,  1874,  where  lie  was  called  to 
the  church  ©t  Gerrardstow n,  where  he  had  preached  a  [)Hrt  (d  the  time  that 
he  assisted  his  father.  He  was  installed  past-  r  of  this  church  March  29,  1874. 
The  congregatioM  was  formerly  cunnecteil  with  the  Falling  Waters  congre- 
gation aiid  a  part  of  his  father's  charge.  Since  he  has  heeu  ihere  (November 
1875)  there  have  been  thirty  additions  to  the  church,  and  thev  have  a  bright 
prospect  before  them.  June  18th,  1873,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nannie  E. 
Dup.iy.  daughter  of  John  ^V.  and  Ann  K.  Dupuy,  of  Cumberland  County, 
Virginia,  of  Huguenot  descent. 


Rev.  John  Ivy  Sharp,  fourth  in  descent  from  th.e  first  James  Hall,  is  the 
sou  of  Silas  Davidson  and  Mary  (Feimster)  Sharp,  th<-.  latter  the  da\ighter 
of  Mrs.  J«hn  Feimster  (^Margaret)  who  was  the  daughter  of  Mrs  Sarah 
(Hall)  King,  who  was  the  daughter  of  the  first  James  Hall.  He  was  educated 
in  part  by  Rev.  Staiiord  C.  Miller,  D.D.,  of  Iredell  county,  North  Carolina, 
and  graduated  at  Emory  and  Henry  College  in  Vu'gitna  about  Lha  year  1850. 
He  had  been  licensed  to  preach  by  the  North  Carolina  Conference  (M.  E.)  In 
1848  he  removed  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  labored  in  the  ministry  for 
sonie  years;  then  engaged  for  sometime  in  teaching,  and  still  lives  there  a  loc;' 
preacher;  he  was  born  in  lt«dell  county.  North  CartJina,  November  29,  1832. 


Rev.  James  Reece  8croggs  is  the  sob  of  J.  Hill  Scrogirs  and  Sarah  Jane 
(Stevenson)  Scrt)gL^s;  Sarah  Jane  Stevenson  (Mrs.  Scroggs)  is  the  daughter 
of  William  Ross  Stevenson,  the  son  of  Prudeiu  e  (Hall)  Stevenson,  the 
daughter  of  Thomas  Hall,  the  son  of  the  first  James  Hall.  He  was  T)orn  in 
Concord  Congregation  December  2,  1848,  educated  by  Professor  James  Henry 
Hill  and  Rev.  E.  F.  Rockwell,  in  Statesville;  w^as  licensed  by  the  North 
Cartdina  Conference  (M.  E.)  in  December,  1873,  and  is  now  (1875)  pre^? 
iog  on  the  Stokes  circuit  in  Stokes  county  in  this  State. 

This  Hall  race,  descending  from  the  fird  James  Hall,  so  often  mentioned 
in  these  sketclies,  is  quite  as  prolific  of  minister's  wives  as  of  ministers. 

.Tane  Hal),  daughter  of  tiie  first  James  Hall,  married  Rev.  .Tames  McEwin.  of  South 
Carolina. 

Rev.  .Tames  Adams  married  Erixena,  daughter  of  Rev.  James  and  Jane  (Hail)  McEwin. 


KLPROJEC 


Rev.  William  H.  Johnston  married  Susan,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  James  and  Erixena 
Adams 

Rev.  Louis  Feuilleteau  Wilson.  M.  I).,  married  a  daughter  of  Hugli  Uall.  son  of  the 
Mrst  James  Hall. 

Rev.  Hugh  Wilson  married  Ei]ialin<la,  the  daughter  of  James  Thomas  Hall,  son  of 
Jhonias  I 'all,  who  was  son  of  the  tirst  James  Hall. 

Rev  William  A.  Hall  married  Olivia,  daughter  ©f  Samuel  Hall,  son  of  Hugh  Hall,  the 
<on  of  the  tirst  .James  Hall. 

Rev.  A.  Y  Lockreuge,  of  Georgia,  married  Eliza  Carolina,  daughter  of  Mary  (Hall) 
Johnston,  daughter  of  Thomas  Hall,  son  of  the  tirst  James  Hall. 

Rev.  Samuel  W.  Calvert  married  Eliza  O.  Hall,  daughter  of  Thomas  James  Hall,  son  ut 
Thonias  Hall,  son  of  the  lirst  .JaiMe.s  Hall, 

Rev.  Hervey  Wood  married  .Malinda  Cecilia  Hall,  si.ster  of  Mrs.  E.  C.  (Hall)  Calvert 
last  mentioned. 

Rev.  Peter  L'onan  married  Emma  C,  anothcrsi.ster  of  Mrs  Calvert  and  Mrs  H.  W^ood, 
all  daughters  of  Rev.  T.  J.  Hall. 

Rev  William  L.  Tarbett  married  Emma  Hall  Calvert,  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Samuel  AV. 
and  Eliza  Calveri,  just  mentioned  above;  and  now  (is75)  resides  in  Varden,  Illinois. 

Rev.  Robert  Mci'ntcheon  Hall  married  a  daughter  of  Rev.  James  David.son  Hall,  No.  7 
'  f  these  sic  t'teh«.s. 

Rev.  Robt-rt  .McCutcheon  married  M  ry  M.  Knox,  daughter  of  Sarah  Hall  Knox, 
daughter  of  Thoma.'S  Hall,  .son  of  tiie  IJrst  James  Hall. 

Rev.  Claudius  Martin  married  Sarah,  a  sister  of  Mrs   Mary  M.  McCutcheon,  last  above. 

R*^v.  H.  Nelson  Pharr,  married  Dovey  Amanda,  daughter  of  Samuel  King,  son  of  Sarah 
Hall)  King  danu'hter  of  tir.<t  James  Hall. 

ll'-y  George  E.  Eagleton  married  Etha  Fout;N  daughter  of  Mrs.  D.  D.  Foute,  daughter 
f  Rev.  Paehard  Hugg  King.,  son  oi  Sarah  (Hall)  King,  daughter  of  the  first  James  Hall. 

Rev.  William  H.  Purviance  first  married  Lydia  Harris,  and  she  dviriij,  he  married  iier 
alt  si>ter.  Eveline;  the  fir.'^t  the  dauirhter  of  Alary  (Stevens(in)   Harris,    ihe   daughter  of 

rudt-nce  (Hall)  Stevenson,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Hah.  son  of  the  lirst  James  Hall 

The  second  (Eveline)  the  daughter  of  Mrs  Wilson    Harris,  the   daughter  of   Mrs. 

■nus  Feuilleteau  Wilson.  Sen.,  and  sister  of  Revs-  Hugh  and  Louis  F    Wilson,    daugh 
-r  of  Hugh  Hall,  fm  of  tht-  lirst  Jatnes  Hall. 

Pvev.  .\!ch.  .\llen  married  Mary  Adalioe  Tucker,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Thomas  Tucker, 
.  lughter  of  Mrs.  J(^hn  Feimster,  daught^T  of  Mrs  Sarah  (Hall)  King,  daugliter  of  first 
ames  Hall. 

Rev.  J.  S.  Burnett  married  Margaret  Jerusha  Tucker,  sister  of  Mrs.  Allen,  last  above 
mentioned 

Ilev.  Menry  LeQueux  married  .Margaret  McLaughlin,  daughter  of  Margaret  (Hall) 
McLaughlin,  daughter  of  Joseph  Hall,  .son  of  Alexander  Hall,  son  of  the  Jirst  Jamef  Hall. 

Lev.  James  Reece  Scroggsniarried  Su.san  Gunn,  danu'hter  of  Mrs.  Marv  Ann  (Sharp) 
'   Miin  and  .^ister  of  Rev.  John  Ivy  Sharp  (see  Sketch  No.  20). 

Rev.  Samuel  vVilliam.son.  I). I).,  married  Ann  Adams,  daughter  of  Rev.  Jame.s  and 
Erixena  (McEvvin)  Adams  (mentioned  in  Sketch  14),  and  sister  of  James  McEvven  Hall 
Adani'^. 

R<-v.  Amos  Stevenson  m.Trricd  Jane  Hill,  daughter  of  Prudence  (Hall)  Hill,  daughter 
i   Hugh  Hall,  son  of  the  first  James  Hall. 

Rev.  W.  I).  Lee  M.D..  married  Saiah  Ann  BailrT.  jirand  daughter  of  Mrs.  Lemuel 
.Jolinstoii,  daughter  of  Thomas  Hall    son  of  the  first  James  Hall.  '' 

llev.  E.  H.  Gre'^n  married  ("atherine  HaJ,  dautihter  of  Josiaii  Hall;  a  brother  of  Revs. 
\\  illiam  A.  and  James  David.son  Hall  (see  Sketches  6th  and  7th.) 

Eli7.a,daugl!ter  of  Rev.  Janus  Adams  and  Erixena  McEwin  Hall  Adams  married  Rev. 
Villiam  B.  Davis,  of  York  county,  South  Carolina,  who,  (1875)  is  still  living. 


